5:09 p.m., May 7, 2007--The University of Delaware hosted Delaware's 21st Hispanic Recognition Program on Saturday, April 28, at Clayton Hall. The event, organized by the Latin American Community Center of Wilmington in conjunction with the Office of the Provost, honors achievement in academics, science and technology, the arts, school and community service, and sports among Delaware's Hispanic middle and high school students.

Among the 18 awards presented, a female and a male student were recognized as the Hispanic Students of the Year for their outstanding accomplishments: Carielys Lozano-Reyes, a senior at Lake Forest High School in Felton, and Arian Hassanalizadeh, a senior at the Charter School of Wilmington.

Approximately 300 people attended the event, including the students and their families, as well as leaders in education, government, industry and community organizations. Havidán Rodriguez, vice-provost for Academic Affairs and International Programs at UD, delivered the keynote address. Offering congratulations to the award recipients, he encouraged them to continue to pursue academic excellence through college and graduate school.

“Although there are many problems and injustices that we need to address and find solutions to in our society,” Rodriguez said, “one of the critical ways to move forward is through education, hard work and perseveranceŠno matter what obstacles stand before you.”

Noting the need for more Hispanic representation among positions of leadership in academia, business, the professions and government, Rodriguez stressed that higher education is the key to these positions. “We need to increase the presence, the voice and visibility of students and faculty of color in our institutions of higher education,” he said. “We are heading in the right direction, but much more needs to be accomplished.”

Brochures describing the University's Commitment to Delawareans were available at the event in both English and Spanish. The Commitment to Delawareans provides clear guidelines so students understand the courses they must complete and the level of performance they must achieve to be confident of gaining admission to the Newark campus of the University of Delaware. Students who live in Delaware and follow the prescribed requirements can be confident that UD will meet their demonstrated financial need up to full in-state tuition with a combination of grants, loans or work-study.

Calling the Commitment to Delawareans “a roadmap to their future,” Rodriguez exhorted the students to strive to meet the guidelines for coursework and grades outlined in the document. He also referred to the numerous pre-college programs at the University of Delaware, including Upward Bound, the Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering (FAME) and Summer College, that help prepare young students for the academic rigors and challenges of college life, and he encouraged the attendees to take advantage of these opportunities as much as possible.

Wanda Burgoz, executive administrative assistant at the Latin American Community Center, expressed the organization's appreciation for Rodriguez's remarks. “He left such an impression on these kids,” she said. “He was very inspiring, very motivating.”

“As Latinos, Latinas or Hispanics, we are and we will continue to change the face of America,” Rodriguez told the students. “Education is a powerful force in this process. Use it well and use it wisely, but be part of this great transformation.”

Article by Beth Chajes